Abstract
It has been reported that the presence of a smear layer on dentinal substrates can compromise bonding. Typically, smear layers are removed by acidic agents that selectively extract calcium salts from dentin surfaces to leave a collagen-rich substrate. Acid-conditioned dentin (i.e., demineralized) is then primed and an adhesive agent applied. In the present study, we removed smear layers by "polishing" dentin specimens with a hydroxyapatite paste and ultrasonication. Bonding procedures were carried out by means of an aqueous solution of 20% 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phenyl phosphoric acid (phenyl-P) and 30% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, referred to as 20P-30H, a "self-etching primer". The 20P-30H solution was applied to "intact" dentin
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